By all means.

Unfortunately the "Tanking Rotation" is a bit of a myth for Vanguards I think. With Static Shield and Shield Cycler specced plus the additional Ammo regeneration from Energy Blast the rotation is really far from static once you hit 40. Better to say there is a situational priority list of abilities to use depending on your current Ammo level. You want to maximize your threat/damage output each GCD while never dropping below 8 Ammo unless you're about to immediately use Energy Blast. While far from a perfectly theory-crafted list my take would be the following (assuming you do not need to regain or snap threat): Single Target A.) If Ammo >= 10 1.) Stockstrike 2.) High-Impact Bolt 3.) If Static Field not present or soon-to-expire, Ion Pulse. 4.) Sticky Grenade 5.) Ion Pulse B.) Else Ammo <= 9 1.) Energy Blast 2.) Hammer Shot This also does not factor in GCDs needed to trigger defensive abilities as-necessary while tanking. Usually I prefer to replace a weaved Hammer Shot with such abilities if at all possible.

Unfortunately the "Tanking Rotation" is a bit of a myth for Vanguards I think. With Static Shield and Shield Cycler specced plus the additional Ammo regeneration from Energy Blast the rotation is really far from static once you hit 40. Better to say there is a situational priority list of abilities to use depending on your current Ammo level. You want to maximize your threat/damage output each GCD while never dropping below 8 Ammo unless you're about to immediately use Energy Blast. While far from a perfectly theory-crafted list my take would be the following (assuming you do not need to regain or snap threat): Single Target A.) If Ammo >= 10 1.) Stockstrike 2.) High-Impact Bolt 3.) If Static Field not present or soon-to-expire, Ion Pulse. 4.) Sticky Grenade 5.) Ion Pulse B.) Else Ammo <= 9 1.) Energy Blast 2.) Hammer Shot This also does not factor in GCDs needed to trigger defensive abilities as-necessary while tanking. Usually I prefer to replace a weaved Hammer Shot with such abilities if at all possible.

Speaking of the E-115 I picked up a moddable rifle, I think in Maelstrom Prison, last night. It's the exact same model but with a light gray reskin. I'll see if I can snap and host a pic, I forget the name offhand.

I am like unto a god.

While this is quite annoying you can usually tell what is a standard RE'd prototype schematic by the naming conventions. Making it pretty easy to pick out your mod gear schematics from the list. But yes, it's really annoying as is.

I don't doubt it's efficacy. It just seems to have a muddled design aesthetic.

It just seems like a very odd tree for Vanguards. So much centered around long-ranged abilities, but then pidgeon-holed into melee. Ah well.

So, I've been leveling as Shield up to 40 but my guild has expanded to include several more reliable tanks so I'm thinking of respeccing into DPS as they seem to enjoy tanking and don't have any interest in DPS. Whereas I was just doing it mostly to give us an available and reliable tank to run FPs as a guild group. So in looking at the two DPS trees I gravitate towards Assault as I think it'd be nice to actually see my attack animations for once, rather than shooting a HIB straight into a guy's face. But given the proc rate on Ionic Accelerator linked to Stockstrike it seems I'll still be forced into melee to be most effective. Given the entire rest of the tree is ranged-focused; does this feel weird to anyone else? I feel like the Ionic Accelerator should key off Ion Pulse and Full Auto, like the Commando version, and then plant a range-extension talent for Ion Pulse lower in the tree (upping it to maybe a 20m range or so). Thoughts?

You seem to be doing pretty well. A few pointers: - Try to keep your Ammo at the 8-10 range at all times, to maximize regen. Usually just weave Hammer Shot in between ammo-using abilities like Ion Pulse, Stock Strike, High Impact Bolt (HIB), etc. - If you pick up the Ion Overload talent (2nd tier) your Stock Strike should apply a short duration DOT to your target automatically if you're using Ion Cell. That should allow you to use HIB on the target immediately after the Stock Strike hits. - Don't be too stingy with Pulse Cannon (cone attack) if you're in a good position to use it. It's not affected by pushback so if you can hit 2+ enemies with it then it's one of the best DPS abilities you have for clearing trash or holding aggro on multiple mobs. You can sometimes get them from Equipment Commendation vendors. Otherwise Armormech crafters for head pieces and Cybertech crafters for ear pieces. Check the GTN if you don't have any friends with those professions. Equipment Commendation vendors can be found at the first quest hub on every new planet you visit. Relics are pretty uncommon. They are rare crits off one of the gathering skills, Investigation I think? Dunno exactly. You can also buy them off the Light/Dark Side vendors at the Republic Fleet if your Light/Dark Side is high enough. I think you need Rank 2 to get the lv. 20 relics they offer. Implants are crafted by Cybertech crafters as well. You can sometimes get these for quest rewards or off Equipment Commendation vendors as well. Multiple places at your level: - Boss drops in Flashpoints. - PVP vendor (Republic Fleet) for Warzone Commendations. - Equipment Commendation vendors. - Crafters can make moddable (orange) gear if they can find the rare schematics for them. Check the GTN for these. I *think* you can up-convert them on the next planet you visit at the various Commendation vendors. Might be mistaken on that. I tend to take them over lockboxes to buy orange gear for various looks down the road. There are several. I personally use torhead.com but db.darthhater.com should have it too.

I tend to take the highest rated armor I get, favoring Endurance over Aim and defensive stats over offensive stats when I have a choice. With Armormech I usually always have a choice. I keep myself decked-out in the latest blue-quality gear with Endurance > Aim and defensive stats. I typically get "Critical" blue schematics for some reason, so that helps add a bit of an offensive punch while leveling. Elara gets decked in similar gear only Aim > Endurance and favoring Power, Crit, and Surge. Between Elara's heals and the multitude of defensive cooldowns available (Reactive Shield, Smoke Grenade, Adrenaline Rush, Cryo Grenade, No Retreat, *AND* 2x defensive Relics; plus a healing pot if you really need it) you can weave them together such that you pretty much always have one of them ticking away against the really tough Champs. I just hit level 40 and this has worked great so far. I can typically take champs 1-2 levels higher than me and finish the fight with 50% or more health. I grabbed the lv. 40 PVP gear set with defensive stats (Republic Commando or something to that effect). I'll likely try to swap out the Accuracy mods when able, as I don't really need them in PVE yet but we'll see. I also haven't found that leveling with defensive stats has been all that inconvenient. I literally never have to stop between pulls. Sometimes I move on to a second pack while Elara gets the last few kill shots on the previous pack. So, I don't think it has really slowed me down at all. The few times I've been forced to use a non-healer Companion you realize just how much "killing but taking more damage" really slows down the gameplay actually.

Whose crying and/or whining? I was just asking if someone who'd already experienced it had a workaround. Please remove the bunch from your panties.

Anyone know of a workaround?

It appears that if I put a Relic that is equipped to my character onto my hotbar and keybind it, it will disappear when I zone or reload my UI in anyway and I have to replace it. Does anyone else experience this or have a potential workaround since I can't just put it into a macro?

Also, what rifle are you using? I kinda like the blocky, round barrel of it.

I'd focus on one, the point of a speciality is to specialize. What do you consider "ages" to kill enemies? Because SWTOR in general has longer PVE fights than most other MMOs, particularly WOW. You're not going to 3-shot your average Elite trash mob. Even weak enemies usually take 2+ hits...and of course almost all pulls have 3+ mobs in them. So, yeah, killing is generally slower for EVERYBODY. It's not the Vanguard class. Be sure that you are maximizing your Ammo mechanic too. Are you spamming high DPS abilities until it gets really low then switching to Hammershot? If so, that may be your problem. You want to weave Hammershot in between higher DPS abilities that cost Ammo so that you stay in the highest regen range, allowing you more high DPS attacks over the course of the longer fights. Maybe describing what kind of abilities you use and how in an average fight might help people point out some tips for you? Rather than exaggerated "Vanguards are the WURST EVAR" comments.

I bought the TD-17A Talon head piece on the GTN just last night, my guess is that it's a world or quest drop; as the TORhead schematic listing and vendor listings seem pretty complete.

See, I *love* the aesthetics of my Trooper. If I could change one thing it would probably be Mortar Volley. Shooting mortar rounds out of my rifle seems silly. But then again...PEOPLE SHOOT LIGHTNING OUT OF THEIR HANDS IN THIS GAME. I can suspend my disbelief. Ion Pulse makes up maybe 10-15% of my standard abilitiy usage, tops. Most of the time I'm shooting lasers, HIB, throwing grenades, and hitting people in the face with my stocky rifle. Seems pretty Trooper-like to me. The occasional use of some lightning-like effects is totally fine with me. I don't know how that's sillier than laser bolts?

I have problems keybinding this. If I right-click it off so that she doesn't use it up on-cooldown and then keybind it, she doesn't do anything when I click the appropriately bound key. How do you do this with her?

I was just wondering what factored into Protection points accrued in Warzones? Is it just damage soaked through Guard, or does it also account for damage mitigated through taunts?

I've gone Armormech and I keep myself and Elara in full blue gear (for the slots I can craft, obviously) every single level. Do the green schematics a level or two above you and reverse-engineer all of it. You'll crit, get various blue schematics, and will have time to craft them and have them waiting for you as soon as you level. I make myself the gear that favors Endurance over Aim, and vice-versa for Elara. If I can get defensive stats on me great. I also tend to favor Power over Crit to smooth out my healing throughput on Elara. I can easily solo champs up to 2 levels higher than me in Shield spec, usually sitting around 90% health at the end of the fight. Just pop your defensives on CD, keep your standard tank rotation rolling, and you should be fine. Stock up on some medpacs and stims if you REALLY have to, but it shouldn't be a problem.

Blargle! Well, I'll have to find something else then. I really just want a decent looking, moddable, head piece that shows some of her face since I can't disable her helm from showing. Can she use any of the moddable Jedi head gear maybe?

Well the head piece I linked requires level 27, so I doubt they're from Ord Mantell.

Does anyone know where to acquire this gear? It's a light trooper-looking gear that is moddable. I've been hoping to secure some to use for Elara because I don't think my medic needs to be in full, heavy, plastoid armor all the time. Specifically I'm looking for the head piece (http://www.torhead.com/item/6zgulHi) most of all, since I already have some light-looking chest, legs, and gloves. They don't seem to be sold as specialty or commendation gear, nor do they appear to be crafted. Are they simply world drops? Also, anyone know of any other light-armor looking modded gear that is somewhat easy to acquire?

Eh, if you go Gut rather than Energy Blast you're going to have Ammo problems if you're using Stockstrike on CD with Static Shield procs. Which leads to more Hammershot filler actions and lower DPS/Threat.